In my last post I Announced the Windows Azure Powershell Extensions a new project that I will be iterating over when I run into tasks that are common in everyday Windows Azure Scenarios.

Being a Developer on the run, going from City to City or Coffee shop to Coffee shop, the absolute first Extension came to me naturally. Quickly create firewall rules for where ever you are by using Add-RoamingFirewallRule, when you’re ready to go remove the setting with Remove-RoamingfirewallRule.

Adding Functions to your Powershell Profile

Functions are only helpful in powershell if their accessible, if it takes you too long to set up a script there’s a good chance you will never use it. Let’s take a brief look at making sure your Powershell environment is up and running.

Open Powershell.

Create a Powershell profile

new-item -path $profile -itemtype file -force
Notepad $profile

Now that your profile has been created, and opened in notepad it’s time to copy the Add-RoamingFirewallRule and Remove-RoamingFirewallRule functions from the Windows Azure Powershell Extensions Project on GitHub and paste them into the open notepad document. After you’ve finished save and close the file. Restart Powershell.

Using Add-RoamingFirewallRule & Remove-RoamingFirewallRule

Let’s first take a look at the help files that are provided with the script.

Get-Help Add-RoamingFirewallRule

Get-Help Remove-RoamingFirewallRule

You’ll notice that both Add-RoamingFirewallRule and Remove-RoamingFirewallRule both require an EnvironmentsCsv parameter which is a path to a CSV file containing Subscription and Management Certification information.

Creating the Subscription CSV File

The CSV file ensures that you don’t need to login to the Windows Azure Portal anytime you’re looking for your SubscriptionIds [Just keep the CSV file up-to-date]. The file requires the header in order to map to the internal variables in the function. The first value is the SubscriptionId for your Windows Azure Account, the second value is the Thumbprint for a Certificate [installed in CurrentUser\My] which has been uploaded as a Management Certificate using the Windows Azure Portal. Save this CSV file in a memorable location.

That’s a Wrap

I hope that this helps speed up your day when working with SQL Azure at different locations or encourages you to get out of the office from time to time. If you have any requests or notice a bug please file an issue on github.